Between now and Opening Day, HardballTalk will take a look at each of baseball’s 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2013 season. Up next: The San Diego Padres. The Big Question: Can the Padres build on their strong second half from last year? While…

During a radio interview with 1090-AM in San Diego general manager Josh Byrnes confirmed that Padres pitching prospect Casey Kelly will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery. He’s scheduled to go under the knife on April 1 and will miss the entire season. Kelly, who was acquired from the Red Sox in the Adrian Gonzalez trade…

We learned yesterday that Padres’ right-hander Casey Kelly was sent for tests on his ailing right elbow. Unfortunately the results pointed toward the worst-case scenario. According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Kelly said Tuesday’s exam showed “micro tears” in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He’ll go for a second…

Troubling news this evening out of Padres camp. According to beat writer Corey Brock of MLB.com, top pitching prospect Casey Kelly “will have tests done” this week on his right (pitching) elbow, which has been plagued by soreness since his last Cactus League start on March 7 against the Angels. Kelly began experiencing elbow discomfort last…

Casey Kelly had been scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Fall League in order to make up for the innings he missed while out with a strained elbow earlier this season, but instead the Padres have decided to simply shut him down until 2013. Kelly’s final start of this season will be skipped today versus…